Family Day at Water Camp

For our last minute summer outing, before Eve goes back to school, we went to Water Camp, Kawit Cavite last Saturday. Previous days, I have been scouting at resorts where we can go. It should be very near Manila so that driving for Alvin won't be very stressful. Most resorts I've checked don't allow food to be brought inside. So come Friday, since Splash Island is the nearest place I've found, we have decided on it and so I've not prepared any food to bring along for barbecue or cookout, just some juice in tetra packs and chips to be eaten during the trip. Come Friday afternoon, Alvin told me that his officemate suggested Water Camp as they have been there already and said that the water at Splash Island is already dirty and greenish at this time. I looked it up on the net http://www.watercampresort.com/ and found out that they allow food to be taken inside. But, by this time, it's already too late for me to buy and prepare anything.

We were early next morning and already on the road by 630am. I believe we've reached Water Camp in less than 30min. We were one of the very first groups to enter the resort and got to choose our table. Because of you come in late, you have no choice on the tables or may not have any table anymore. The resort opens early. You can walk around and play while waiting, because the pools open at 8am. Eve and Anne brought their own pool floaters. There are no floaters you can rent there so you have to bring your own which you can inflate there.

It's really a shame we don't have any food to grill. All the other families around us are doing their own barbacues, just enjoying their cookouts. And we became so hungry with the smell of grilled meat all around us. We got to eat lunch at their canteen which offers delicious and very affordable meals. Anyway, Eve and Anne had fun, that's what is important. And Anne, who's just 2 y/o, kept on saying "bath! bath!". It was only then she learned of the word swim. :=)

Manila Zoo and Singapore Zoo

Today, we brought Eve and Anne to Manila Zoo. Eve was only 3 years old when we first brought her there. And now, she is with 2-year old Anne. There were lots of improvements since then. Now, there are horse-back riding and boat-riding areas. There are small playgrounds with slides and swings. However, it was utterly disappointing to find out that there are very few animals. There is also a calesa ride which took us around the zoo. We've learned from the driver that some animals died during the Milenyo typhoon as back then, their cages had no roofs. These are the elephants and giraffe. They had them preserved and now they are standing in the middle of the zoo. Some animals were also brought to Malabon Zoo when there was a plan to have the zoo converted into a mall. They can't take back those animals anymore. Though he also said, that animals will be brought in from Africa this coming June. Hopefully, by then, a trip to Manila Zoo won't be this disappointing anymore.

Our kids had seen the Singapore Zoo last summer of 2007. If it had taken us just barely an hour to cover Manila Zoo, it will take you at least a day to fully enjoy Singapore Zoo. The 2 are really incomparable. But since the kids, especially my eldest, had been there, she can't help but compare. It saddens me and it's such a shame that our own zoo which carries our country's capital city hasn't really that much to offer to locals and to tourists.